Thursday Morning, March 8

Sunrise from our chalet

A nice sighting of two nyala shortly after sunrise

Black African Millipede – look at all those legs. This guy (or gal) was on our path as I walked to the main house.

Victor and Nelson were cleaning up the pool area.

Whenever you see a small or large ball of manure moving along the path on which you are walking, you know there is a dung beetle moving it.

They move the dung with their back legs.

The dung will eventually be buried and a female dung beetle will lay an egg in it. We saw them many times – even on the driveway. Phil and Kate always avoided running over them if they were on the driveway – telling you that dung beetles are valuable to the land.

We were delighted to see a few giraffes next to the driveway as we left the farm.

Kate said these are Savannah Giraffes

Out on the main road it was cows and donkeys that slowed our drive.

Kate told us these trucks and trailers were former mining vehicles.

When they are no longer needed in the mining industry, they are used for other things. This one appears to be hauling sand.

As this truck came around the corner, I noticed that the lettering above the window said, “Powered by God.” Because of my vantage point in the van, I was not able to capture the words.

We enjoyed beautiful scenery as we traveled to Blyde River Canyon. Pronounced blade-ah.

A small fuel stop – for cars and trucks.

The shades of green (other than trees) are lichen that grows on the rocks.

Tunnel coming up

 

These donkeys were having a serious spat.

Not sure if this one was the winner or loser – but his body language looks like a loser.

We drove by many orchards – mostly orange and macadamia.

A hiking trail

Entrance to the view of the canyon

An amazing view of this part of the Drakensberg Mountain range.

The whole gang

Watching Kate take pictures of their parents and grandparents.

Notice the three Rondavels on the left.

From the Internet: The Three Rondavels are three round, grass-covered mountain tops with somewhat pointed peaks. They resemble the traditional round or oval African homestead (rondavel). 

 

Heading back to the van

Someone thought this might be a wild tomato, but it is a poisonous fruit.

We like how they keep baboons and monkeys out of the trash. When that lid is shut, they can’t pry it open.

Most of us bought something here where there was a fabulous array of crafts.

Back on the road

This time we are heading to Harrie’s Pancakes for lunch before seeing Blyde River Canyon from God’s Window.

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I’ll tell you about that tomorrow.